Help Choosing a New Lens

[Hillbillygirl]

Hello Megan:I also shoot with Canon and have acquired quite a collection of lenses, and have used, sold, bought, very many over the years, so I will answer in the best way I can to help you. You have quite a feat you are asking of one lens only. I would agree with all that it is not all possible with only one lens.
What is your main interest right now and what direction can you see yourself heading as for subject matter photography wise? This will have the main influence on what I would ever recommend for a lens as of this moment. Also, what are you talking as in budget, as this will give us a good idea on what is available towards a decision.The 70-300 that you are shooting right now is an excellent lens as long as you shoot around f8-f11, as that is its sweet spot for sure. I am talking from past experience with that exact lens .
You DO NOT want to cheap out on lenses if you see yourself getting into this more seriously in the future. The lenses are an investment, as they will last a very long time if taken care of, and they keep their value very well as compared to bodies.
There are a lot of years of experience on this forum, along with loads of good people. So feel free to pick everyones brains on any subject you like and I am sure you will find the answer you are looking for.
As for the Kata bag, we have one, and it is also the 30 which I would HIGHLY recommend. You might as well buy the biggest one now as you will be buying it later anyways. This bag is light, comfortable, and tough. We hike quite a bit with our gear and this bag is amazing for sure.

[meganwebb]

I mostly use the kit lens , because i mostly take scenery pictures, its more of a relaxation method for me than a job choice, im not into portrait photography because i dont like posing people and i find it looks unnatural, i mostly take picture sof wild animals and scenery.

Some of my work can be viewed here :http://www.photography.ca/Forums/mem...s/photography/

by no means am i a professional but i have a strong interest in photography and learning more about it.

My price range prob is not more than around 300 dollars seeing as i am attending college soon. so its not much to work with although i only paid about 150 for my 70-300mm from CAMETA CAMERA on ebay.

Also i need a backpack style bag because most of my work is done outside so i do alot of walking with my camera and such, i like the kata because it has the rain sheild and lookking at the reviews the 20 seems to be big enough for me . seeing i only have one body and im comfortable with the body i dont feel like its old technology , to me it gets the job done if you get what im saying..

[Hillbillygirl]

It looks like, (from your original post), you are quite happy with the kit lens, and if so, this would definitely be sufficient for your landscape, scenery shots.
As for finding a better lens for wildlife, than what you already have, for $300, I don't think you will. Check review here,( Canon Lens: Zooms - Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (Tested) - SLRgear.com! ). I think you really need to get out and use it more and get comfortable with it. I know it is not super fast focusing, but it can be "L" class sharp in some instances. All lenses have their sweet spot, and you will do best to get out and use it, LOTS, and post pics for critique with exif data for others to give advice.
If you are looking at replacing your wider angle lens, the newer Sigma 17-70 OS is a super sweet third-party lens that also works fine as a macro.
The Kata bag in which you have decided will definitely work for your needs, and you won't be disappointed.

[meganwebb]

Thanks for your help
The link i tried to post before didnt work so, if you were interested in viewing my photos there in the album on my profile on this website, the albums clled photography

[asnow]

I think one more suggestion would be a good tripod. Taking pictures with a tripod and using the sweet spot f8-f11 will bring out the maximum sharpness in the lens you have.

[Norotso]

Well I will attempt to comment on the Kata 3n1-20 since I just got mine. The main reason for my purchase is 1. It had some great reviews on-line, 2. I like the option of being able to convert it from R side sling to L side or backpack, 3. Its big enough to grow my equipment and still carry a few personal item, yet small enough that I should be able to carry it all day. I have not had a chance to take it outside and use it as I just received it the other day but have worn it around the house. I did order mine with the tripod holder.

Review 1
Review 2

[Marko]

If you are considering the Kata bag, I'd opt for the 30. It will hold your camera body with a long lens easily and has many other features. I am very happy with mine. And it is stuffed to the brim (not only lenses, but also teleconverter, flash and what have you....)

Just curious Matt - will a laptop fit in there nicely with all that gear? and can I bring the bag on a plane or is it too big?


I've had my eye on a Kata bag for a while now. I've seen most of them up close. Very solid and creatively designed. Here's the links for the 30,20 and 10
the kata 3N1-30 - http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp...photo&p_Id=433
the kata 3N1-20 - http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp...photo&p_Id=432
the kata 3N1-10 - http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp...photo&p_Id=431

My Lowepro Fastpack 350 is AWESOME but just slightly too small. Might be time to put it on Mr. Craig's list.

[Andrew]

Marko, try the 33.

Kata 3N1-33. Slings & Torso Packs Backpacks Rolling bags (Kata Bags)

[Norotso]

Just curious Matt - will a laptop fit in there nicely with all that gear? and can I bring the bag on a plane or is it too big?

If you need room for a laptop then you need the 11, 22 or 33 series versus the 10,11 or 30s

[Gremlich]

Here's what I have in my lens stable that may be useful to you in determining what lenses to look at (not Nikkor specifically, just categories). I suspect that the others may have similar lenses in their kit:

Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 (love the f-stop)
Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED (great travel lens)
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 (a "meh" lens)

awaiting a Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED

Nothing really for macro, though the Tamron can be used as such and nothing for wildlife (really).